Good morning, Honolulu.

Marcus Mariota visited Chef Chai yesterday as part of Hawaii Living with Anne Lee's feature on the Webco Foundation and its community impact.

He discussed the mission of the Motiv8 Foundation (a local giving back effort) to benefit Honolulu.

Aloha Tequila Fest is set to take place Friday, June 20 at Waikiki’s International Market Place — featuring local food from La Piña Cantina, live music, and art vendors while supporting the Aloha Cancer Project as a fundraiser honoring two locals who lost to cancer.

Data from Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism shows fewer visitors came in April but those who did spent more (nearly 5% higher overall), with gains in shopping, lodging, and dining.

Officials say the trend reflects shifting travel patterns.

In April, Hawaii welcomed nearly 829,000 visitors, a slight drop from last year, but average daily spending jumped more than 14% to $278, boosting total visitor spending to $1.7 billion on shopping, lodging, and dining.

Officials say summer bookings will rise slowly.

At the Hawaii State Library on Saturday, hundreds launched the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge.

The event featured a keiki story time — led by First Lady Jaime Green and her daughter, Maia — plus crafts, a scavenger hunt, and local food booths, and the program runs through July 31.

The Hawaii Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund certified 193 journeyworkers on Saturday — 161 carpenters, 31 drywall specialists and one millwright, including the first high school interns from the Career Connections program.

The ceremony highlighted work opportunities and higher pay in Honolulu's construction industry.

Heavy tephra fall and sulfur dioxide from ongoing Kilauea eruptions and winter Kona winds caused vegetation near the summit to turn brown, but returning trade winds this late spring are allowing new foliage to emerge near the Kilauea Military Camp and Volcano Golf Course community.

On Saturday, June 6, Hanauma Bay closed its beach after a marine mammal washed ashore dead and blood was found in the bay; the upper viewing areas remained open as officials worked with state, federal and Honolulu Ocean Safety to decide on a reopening date.

Over $1.1 billion in a Bank of America trust account is set to begin its first of four annual payouts to Maui wildfire victims in July or August, nearly three years after the deadly Lahaina disaster that killed 102 people and damaged thousands of properties.

Hawaii residents who lost work or faced reduced hours from the Kona low storms from Mar.

10 to Mar. 24 must file for disaster unemployment assistance with the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations by June 15 — the deadline nears soon.

The inaugural Hoola 5K took place Saturday morning in Kalama Valley with over 200 participants, raising funds to support the Hawaii Primary Care Association.

Punahou School senior Alec Wong inspired the 3-mile run to bolster healthcare across the state.

Ocean Safety officials on Saturday issued a shark warning near the flumes at the Kahe Power Plant after sighting a 6-7 ft non-aggressive shark, and they advised beachgoers to check with lifeguards before entering the water.

Joshua Walker began his tenure as head coach of UH women’s volleyball on Saturday.

He met with players via Zoom yesterday and will be on island later this month to guide the team through its Mountain West Conference transition.